Deciduous Native Shrubs for Your Landscape
Tina Samuels
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Want some lovely deciduous native shrubs for your landscape but are unsure about which one is right for your application? Shrubs really add texture and color throughout the yard, and gardeners love planting them as borders or as a standout piece in the landscape. These shrubs all have profiles telli 
ng you the way to plant them, general specifics to the native shrub, and little tidbits about them.
Calycanthus floridus L. (Eastern Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice)
This deciduous shrub grows 4-8 feet tall. Its shape will depend on your planting technique; Full Sun locations will make it tight and round, and Shady locations will make it a more loose open shape. Leaves are fragrant when crushed, and has spicy scented rusty red flowers from May to June. It needs moist soil. A worry-free shrub, it's perfect for those who enjoy drying flowers and bark for potpourri.
Cephalanthus occidentalis L. (Common Buttonbush)
A deciduous shrub, the Buttonbush grows up to 18 feet tall. It will flower tiny white blossoms from June to September and fruit from September to October. The Buttonbush has traditionally had its bark used as a laxative and to cure skin ailments, but be highly cautious of this tradition as the bark contains cephalanthin poison that produces convulsions and paralysis. Bees will use the shrub in its honey making endeavors.
Chionanthus virginicus L. (White Fringetree, Grancey Greybeard)
This incredible deciduous shrub (or can be pruned to a small tree) is known for its light wispy fringe. This fringe is due to the airy white flowers that will come in May. It is very slow growing but will eventually top out around 15-20 feet. You'll love its adaptability and ease in your garden, just be sure you give it full sun or partial shade.
Clethra alnifolia L. (Coastal Sweetpepperbush, Summersweet)
This shade tolerant deciduous shrub will grow up to 8 feet tall. It has lovely reddish-brown bark. This shrub is mainly used purely ornamental due to its incredibly fragrant white flowers that appear July to August. It will fruit from September to October, but has little value to livestock and deer.
Calycanthus floridus L. (Eastern Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice)
This deciduous shrub grows 4-8 feet tall. Its shape will depend on your planting technique; Full Sun locations will make it tight and round, and Shady locations will make it a more loose open shape. Leaves are fragrant when crushed, and has spicy scented rusty red flowers from May to June. It needs moist soil. A worry-free shrub, it's perfect for those who enjoy drying flowers and bark for potpourri.
Cephalanthus occidentalis L. (Common Buttonbush)
A deciduous shrub, the Buttonbush grows up to 18 feet tall. It will flower tiny white blossoms from June to September and fruit from September to October. The Buttonbush has traditionally had its bark used as a laxative and to cure skin ailments, but be highly cautious of this tradition as the bark contains cephalanthin poison that produces convulsions and paralysis. Bees will use the shrub in its honey making endeavors.
Chionanthus virginicus L. (White Fringetree, Grancey Greybeard)
This incredible deciduous shrub (or can be pruned to a small tree) is known for its light wispy fringe. This fringe is due to the airy white flowers that will come in May. It is very slow growing but will eventually top out around 15-20 feet. You'll love its adaptability and ease in your garden, just be sure you give it full sun or partial shade.
Clethra alnifolia L. (Coastal Sweetpepperbush, Summersweet)
This shade tolerant deciduous shrub will grow up to 8 feet tall. It has lovely reddish-brown bark. This shrub is mainly used purely ornamental due to its incredibly fragrant white flowers that appear July to August. It will fruit from September to October, but has little value to livestock and deer.